TORONTO – The Lung Health Foundation and Canada’s Global Nexus for Pandemics and Biological Threats have partnered to provide Canadians with evidence-based, timely information on COVID-19 vaccine efficacy, infectious respiratory diseases and other public health measures put in place to manage risk and improve peoples’ health.
Canada’s Global Nexus researchers, based at McMaster University, will provide data and evidence about pandemic topics that will be used by the Lung Health Foundation to educate and strengthen Canadians’ understanding of how to protect themselves, their loved ones and their communities.
The information will include accurate summaries and infographics which may eventually evolve into public discussion roundtables, policy briefings and advocacy activities.
The two partners will explore topics ranging from vaccine approval and rollout to diagnostic testing capacity and economic and social policies.
“Canadians are bombarded with mass information and misinformation about COVID-19 daily, leaving too many with uncertainty and confusion,” said Peter Glazier, executive vice president of the Lung Health Foundation.
“Together with Canada’s Global Nexus for Pandemics and Biological Threats, the Lung Health Foundation will provide the clear, consistent and fact-based information Canadians can trust to help stay safe and make informed decisions about vaccines.”
Canada’s Global Nexus lead at McMaster, Gerry Wright, says collaboration is key to success. “Partnerships are essential to help us bring an end to this pandemic and prepare for the next.
“Building on our history and track record of success in infectious disease research, Canada’s Global Nexus researchers will bring expertise on vaccines, virus variants, surveillance, and evidence-based decision-making to the table and in collaboration with the Lung Health Foundation’s strengths in building awareness, Canadians will have reliable, trustworthy information they can count on.”
Glazier added, “Today, we’re guiding Canadians through the pandemic with fact-based information they can trust and rely on as we all work toward a return to normalcy and tomorrow, we’re going to be better prepared by ensuring the tragic lessons this pandemic has taught us aren’t lost.”
